Reading the Argus or the Press Democrat these days is not something I would recommend for the clinically depressed...

Petaluma Politics

If there is one constant in Petaluma, it is that nothing is final when it comes to public policy issues. For example, last week I read that former one term Council Member Bryant Moynihan is planning to gather signatures for yet another initiative on the new sewer plant. Having failed with his recent Measure K, he hopes to succeed with still yet another initiative. This time he plans to direct his nearsighted focus on the sewer rates. Before signing Mr. Moynihan's petition, I suggest you carefully read this morning's Argus Editorial.

In addition, Mr. Moynihan also wrote a hyperbolic op-ed piece for the Press Democrat arguing that Petaluma should file for bankruptcy. If his new initiative makes it to the ballot and passes, bankruptcy might be assured. The Moynihan op-ed piece was answered by former Mayor and current Council Member David Glass. However, the fact remains that many people subscribe to the view that blame for Petaluma's economic and financial woes can be atrributed to the current Council majority.

Meanwhile, another group of disgruntled citizens wants to recall the City Council or at least the Mayor and the Progressives. Apparently they believe that Lowe's and Target are staging trucks outside the city limits just itching to move in if they could just get by Mayor Torliatt and The Progressives. For this group, the solution is simple--let more stores in and all will be well.

These narrow world views fail to recognize that other cities in California, not to mention Sonoma County, are facing severe budget problems and many are in far worse shape than Petaluma. I have addressed these questions before and do not intend to do so again. There is nothing I can write or say that will change allegiance to a myopic system of beliefs grounded in provincialism.

I do take ironic note of the fact that while some believe we cannot afford our sewer rates, others believe we have plenty of money to go shopping in Petaluma if we could just get the City to approve more stores.

Get Over It! We're Broke!--From Sacramento to Petaluma

The governmental and financial system in California is broken from top to bottom. If you have not been paying attention, it is soon going to be obvious just how bad things are as the state prepares to cut its budget and take even more money from local governments. There is even talk of lowering the bond rating for California.

Pete Golis wrote an excellent article on the dysfunctional governmental structure in California. I recommend it to you.

In Closing...

The financial mess can't be repaired in or by Petaluma--but many will blame those who hold office in Petaluma for its consequences.

The signature line for my PIN-SIN newsletters contains the following

I have met the enemy and he is us.

--Pogo

Therefore it is up to us.

--Frank

One of the PINS-SIN newsletter readers took my signature line a step further in a recent e-mail:

Frank...this all seems to be a giant ant hill....and some little kid has come along and stirred up the ant hill. The ants are scattered everywhere and are not organized like they were. It will eventually become reorganized, yet it seems hopeless right now.

People have to come out of their party funk....no matter who is running you vote for that person because they're in that party. I did that once, when I was young and saw the error of my ways. If voters keep doing that, voting a party line vote, there will be nothing different, no changes, no solutions, only more of the same.

People say to "think outside the box" but I think, they ARE the box.